Hermione didn't have a lot of time to ponder why Iris wasn't in bed. For the first week of school, the fifth-year Prefects were responsible for ensuring their charges made it to meals and classes on time.

When she walked out of the first-year girl's dormitories, Hermione felt more like a babysitter than a Prefect. Three of the five girls were standing around in their pajamas, another she found in a shower stall crying because she was homesick, and the last was dead asleep to the world. The girl's face when she threatened to use an Aguamenti Charm to get her out of bed was amusing.

Iris was also a no-show in the common room, but to her surprise, she found Ron and his three charges.

The redhead boy shrugged. "Euan woke us all up early."

"I couldn't find Sally," the boy looked down, embarrassed.

"His toad."

"I see; speak with Neville Longbottom, Euan. He used to have the same problems with his," she commented and then looked around, making sure of the numbers.

"Where's Iris?" Ron asked.

"Probably already downstairs," Hermione replied, then said to the group, "Remember, all, class starts at nine, and one, if not both, of us Prefects, will escort you there for the first week. Normally we have two-morning classes, then a break and then lunch. Afternoon classes start at one pm. Be sure to wait for us when your classes end so we can make sure you get to your next one on time. So don't go wandering off. You will have plenty of time over the weekend to explore the castle."

With a nod, Ron bellowed, "All right, you munchkins, no questions, good. Let's go. I'm hungry."

Iris's whereabouts were quickly solved when the group entered the dining hall. Still, there were a few things that stood out. The Ravenclaw table was empty, except for the first years, who were happily talking to themselves. Iris was standing in front of the two fifth-year Prefects. Neither Padma nor Anthony seemed particularly happy, but they didn't appear to be angry at Iris.

"What's happening?" Hermione asked as her best friend sat down a few minutes later. "Where are the rest of the Ravenclaws?"

"Still in their common room because of a rather serious case of bullying," Iris replied. "If it was winter, it might even be considered attempted murder."

"What?"

Moments later, the missing students arrived, looking none too happy, especially the older ones. Hermione noted that the four senior Prefects were missing their badges. But before she could ask, Luna took a seat at the Gryffindor table across from Iris, next to Ginny.

"Why is Looney sitting….", Ron began, then yelped at the stinging hex thrown under the table.

After an annoyed look, Iris turned to the little Ravenclaw with a smile. "How's your dad?"

Luna returned it with one of her own. "He is well, thank you. He also asked if you wanted to join us next summer."

"Snorkack hunt." Iris looked lost in thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, sounds like fun."

First period had already started when she looked up as Hermione and Ron snuck into History of Magic. Of course, they were late because they had just dropped off their charges, but it didn't stop her from saying, "Glad to see that you can join us."

"We had to go all the way down to the dungeon," Ron grumbled, then collapsed in one of the seats.

Hermione leaned over and whispered, "All right, what's going on with the Ravenclaws? Padma was pretty tight-lipped about it."

Iris looked at her two young companions; what to say? She could explain the facts. Hermione would be angry, but Ron would probably blow it off. He wasn't a bad guy, not in the least. His worldview was just skewed.

"It happened because Ravenclaws, for all their intellect, are just as conservative as the rest of the wizarding world. Question commonly held beliefs? You're considered a problem child. To try and follow a totally new path, you're often ostracized or considered a lunatic."

"You're talking about Loo…", Ron started but stopped wide-eyed as Iris's finger began to glow.

"You know the term, Hermione, 'marching to the beat of your own drummer'?"

"Of course."

"Well, Luna has her own marching band," Iris said with a fond smile, then frowned. " She's also brilliant and insightful, and I think most of Ravenclaw's are actually jealous of her. Unfortunately, the sweet girl has never complained and never fought back. So, a group of her classmates, and just to let you know, most of her house was complicit, decided that it was a sign to escalate their bullying this year. They stunned Luna and tossed her out into the hallway in the middle of the night. The sixth-year Prefect then made it so she couldn't return to the common room."

"That's horrible," Hermione hissed. "Why didn't she go to Professor Flitwick or see Madam Pomfrey? She could have gotten hurt."

"She didn't want to be a burden," Iris sadly replied.

"You saw Luna on the map?" Ron leaned over and whispered.

"I was speaking to Sirus when I noticed her on the fourth floor."

"And what about the rest of the house?"

Iris nodded across the room to the Ravenclaw Prefects, who followed the two of them in. "Goldstein's skating on thin ice; Padma is good, though. Luna said that she and Su Li were the only upper years who were nice to her. The rest of the lot lost their badges. Even Quidditch's up in the air, and don't expect Ravenclaw to win the house cup this year."

"But why so much?" Ron asked, confused. "I mean, it's horrible and all, but not everyone was involved."

"You think it's too much, do you? What about those who stood by and didn't say anything? Aren't they just as guilty? Anyway, I believe Flitwick wanted the entire student body of Hogwarts to understand that bullying has consequences. "

Ron frowned.

"It's an issue in most of the other houses, including our own," Iris said, looking at Hermione, who nodded sadly.

"I ended up spending the night in the hospital. The Professor and I talked. He told me stories about my mother, it was nice. But, before he turned in for the night, he apologized to me."

She raised an eyebrow at the two confused faces and said, "You don't think those badges everyone wore last year wasn't bullying? The entire school, including those in our own house, wore them. Even worse, not a single teacher stepped forward to confiscate them."

"And let's not forget one of the Professors is the worst sort of bully. He hates you."

"Ron."

"It's true, Hermione. I expect he's talking about Snape. Man can't let go of a grudge; he's so unhappy with his life that he takes it out on all his students."

Hermione harrumphed. "He's still a Professor."

Iris shrugged. "Doesn't make him less of a bully."

After spending an hour and a half with the ghost, the Mistress of Death contemplated sending the poor soul into the afterlife right then. However, time-wise, it has yet to be decided, but the ghost would have to go. Unfortunately, Iris needed to wait until Umbridge was gone too, or the pink Toad would become more of a problem.

However, the thought of spending 90 minutes in potions made her want to stab someone. Especially when Snape strode into the room, slamming the door behind him.

"Sit still, be quiet. If I had my way, most of you wouldn't be taking your OWLS in potions, as it's a waste of time. However, it's not my decision to make, so everyone will be sitting for those examinations this June, where you can prove how much you have learned. Be aware I do not accept anything but Outstandings if you wish to attend this class next year."

He then stood behind his desk. "Today's assignment is the Wit-Sharpening Potion, some of you may even benefit from it. Start now; directions are on the blackboard."

"Ahh, Iris, the potion went from blue to green," Neville whispered.

Leaning over, she took a look and then motioned to the armadillo bile. "No, it's perfect, poor that in slowly. It will then turn blue again."

With a knife, she cracked open the scarab shells. Then picked out the few that she wanted and placed the rest in a pile.

Iris felt Neville suddenly freeze.

"Who told you to break the scarab shells that way?"

"I had a tutor over the summer, Professor," she replied without looking up, then started to grind them in a pestle. "Four pieces of ginger, Neville, same width and thickness as before."

She noticed Snape moving on, then continued with the potion. Iris wasn't surprised that the two had finished first, nor that their potion came out perfectly. After adding the yellow potion to a couple of vials, she labeled them, cast an unbreakable charm, then walked over to the front of the class and set them down. With a wave of her wand, her workstation was cleaned and then grabbed Neville before exiting the room.

"Thank you, Iris. Did you really have a tutor over the summer? Do you think it would help?"

Iris frowned. "You're not bad at potions, Neville. Everything you did today deserved high marks."

The young Gryffindor snorted. "You know I blow up caldrons more than most."

"You blow up caldrons because Snape is a horrible Professor. He may know his potions but doesn't know the first thing about teaching. I was tutored this summer by another potion master who is also a healer. Trust me. Snape can't teach."

Neville bit his lip, then asked, "He doesn't seem to like either of us very much. No matter what you say, I'm pants at potions, but why doesn't he like you?"

Iris laughed. "That's because my dad got the girl Snape wanted."

"What? Really?"

"I know, I know, such a small man." Iris, who knew a little about Neville's future, said, "So don't let him get to you. Play to your strengths. You're brilliant in Herbology. In a few years, Potion masters will be falling over themselves to talk to you."

Neville gave her a grateful smile.

Later that evening, Iris sat with a few of her new classmates, helping them with their homework, when the two new 5th-year Prefects joined them in front of the fire. Moving over a little to let Hermione in, Iris looked at Ron, who was staring at Luna, who was working on her Charms' homework.

"Err, why is she here?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and answered. "Check the colors of her robes, Ron."

Hermione then exclaimed. "She switched houses."

The youngest of the Weasleys laughed. "Neither of you are very observant."

"I asked the Sorting Hat to put me in Gryffindor," Luna said dreamily, flipping her book upside down and then back again. "Daddy insisted. Although Professor Flitwick was sad, he understood."

"Did you really have a tutor over the summer," Hermione blurted out.

Iris laughed. "You've been holding that in the whole time, haven't you? You could have asked me earlier. But yes, Tonks's mom tutored me over the summer."

"You wouldn't have been tutored by Master Healer Tonks?" Neville wondered, sounding impressed. Looking up from his schoolwork, he added, "She's in charge of several wards at St. Mungos. My grandmother doesn't particularly like her, but I always thought she was very nice."

"The new Defense Professor was brilliant, too," Ron sighed happily, taking a seat.

"Helps that she's quite the looker, too, I bet," Iris noted, then laughed at the two boys' flushed faces. Iris then added. "Too bad she's married and very pregnant."

"She's pregnant?" One of the seventh-year boys asked who had been listening to the conversation.

"Due sometime in the Spring."

"How do you know all of this?" Hermione wondered. "Oh, Tonks. You spent a lot of time with her, didn't you?"

Iris nodded. "Our defense professor will also get an assistant after the holidays who will eventually take over her class."

"About bloody time someone's taking our defense courses seriously."

"From what I have been told, Fred, the Director of the DMLE hasn't been thrilled with what her Junior Auror have to relearn before they start their jobs."

George, who was sitting next to his brother, snorted. "Can't blame her."

"Miss Potter," a new voice called out, causing her to turn around.

"Yes, Professor?"

"The Headmaster would like to talk to you," Professor McGonagall announced.

Albus Dumbledore's office had a very nostalgic vibe, from the paintings to the little swirly items behind the desk, to a grumpy-looking potions professor scowling at her. Even the Headmaster looked the same. However, one thing stood out differently.

"Hello, Fawkes," Iris whispered.

As soon as she entered the room, the phoenix flew off its perch and landed on her shoulder. The Mistress of Death had a feeling the immortal firebird knew precisely what was going on.

"Extraordinary," Dumbledore exclaimed. "I don't believe I have ever seen Fawkes excited to see someone."

"We are good friends," Iris said, running her fingers over the soft plumage. "So, how may I help you this evening, sir? It's a little late."

"I heard that you had some potions instruction this summer."

She couldn't help but snort; Professor Snape couldn't help but run off and tattle.

"You know as well as I do that Andy is more than qualified. After the little run-in with Dementors, I also needed someone to check my health."

"Madam Pomfrey…"

"I love to death," Iris interrupted the Headmaster. "But she's not a master healer. Andy also did a full check-up, as she was quite unhappy with a few other things she found. I know you were looking out for me, but I should have been brought to Saint Mungo's at least three times over the last five years."

Dumbledore slumped in his chair a little. "I am well aware; she confronted me at the ministry the other day. All I can say, Iris, was I wanted to keep you safe."

"I understand, sir, I really do, but it could have caused me complications in the future. But let's put that in the past; nothing we can do about it now."

"You've matured." The Headmaster gave her a warm smile.

"Thank you. Was that all?"

"Not quite." Dumbledore clasped his fingers and inquired, "Since you encountered the Dementors, have you had any dreams, something out of the ordinary?"

"I assume you speaking about Tommy-related dreams I had earlier in the summer. No, those seemed to have vanished along with my scar."

"Excellent." Dumbledore beamed, then turned much more serious. "Voldemort, however, has the ability to delve into the mind of his enemies both wandlessly and nonverbally. I would feel much better if you encountered him that you had some defenses against it. Professor Snape has graciously offered to teach Occlumency to help you defend against such an attack."

"Thank you for the offer, sir, but I'll pass."

"You insufferable little," Snape erupted but was stopped by a grinning "Girl Who Lived'.

"And your predictable, Professor. I half expected you to scream 'When the Headmaster hears about this.'" Iris then looked back at the Headmaster. "I'm aware of the skill, sir. After whatever happened to me and the Dementors, my magic felt odd, as if I had ants running up and down my arms. Andy suggested I learn. It seems to have helped."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I see. May I check?"

"Of course."

The powerful wizard's touch was gentle, almost like a gentle breeze. Admittedly, she would never have felt it even after long years of study. However, after crossing over, Iris's mind was protected by the Hallows.

"I expected no less after being taught by a member of the illustrious Black family," he said, sitting back. "Please continue to study. If you don't mind, I would like to test you occasionally."

Iris shook her head. "Not at all, sir."

Nymphadora Tonks shut the door to her apartment, happy to be home. She dropped the keys into the bowl by the lamp and collapsed onto the sofa.

"You seem tired, Nimmy. Hard day at work?" A voice called out.

In a flash, Tonks had her wand out and started to move, then stopped. Walking into the room with a plate of food was her cousin, the temporally displaced 'Girl Who Lived.'

"Bloody hell, Iris, quit doing that."

Chuckling, Iris pointed to the food before leaving and returned with a couple of butterbeers. "Go ahead, Tonks; I know you haven't eaten yet."

Nodding happily, she took a bite and groaned. "Did you make this curry?"

"Kreacher made it."

The Metamorphmagus eyed the food for a moment but continued eating. "Thanks for the dinner, but why are you here, and how did you get here?"

"I Apparated, of course."

Tonks took another bite, then opened a bottle of butterbeer. "Right, you can do that. But why? We can talk through the mirrors; nothing changed since we last spoke."

"I need backup tonight," Iris explained. "I will be doing the work, but I need you in case something goes wrong."

The Auror nodded, took one more bit of the curry, wiped her mouth then announced, "So what's the plan?"